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Aging and marrow neutrophil reserves
G S Chatta1, T H Price, J R Stratton
1Division of Geriatrics, University of Washington, Seattle.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Elderly individuals show a reduced ability to mobilize neutrophils into the blood, as indicated by hydrocortisone response. Aging does not impact baseline neutrophil counts or reserves measured by G-CSF or epinephrine.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gerontology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Neutrophils (PMN) play a crucial role in immune response.
- Aging can affect immune function and the body's response to stimuli.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of aging on neutrophil mobilization and counts.
- To compare the effects of hydrocortisone, G-CSF, and epinephrine on blood neutrophil levels in young and elderly individuals.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving healthy young (20-30 years) and elderly (70-80 years) volunteers.
- Administration of hydrocortisone, G-CSF, or epinephrine to measure changes in blood neutrophil counts.
- Subjects served as their own controls before and after drug administration.
Main Results:
- Hydrocortisone administration resulted in a significantly lower peak neutrophil response in the elderly compared to young subjects.
- Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and epinephrine showed no significant age-related differences in neutrophil response.
- Baseline neutrophil counts were similar across all groups and ages.
Conclusions:
- Aging impairs the ability to mobilize neutrophils from the bone marrow into the bloodstream, as evidenced by the blunted hydrocortisone response.
- Bone marrow neutrophil reserves and circulating neutrophil pools are not affected by aging, as measured by G-CSF and epinephrine, respectively.